Children today are growing up with computers, Gameboys, Play Stations, X-boxes and Wii’s. They are the generation of screenagers. But what does this mean to your child’s development? Well, it means that your child will: be strongly visual and think in pictures be literal as opposed to abstract in their thinking have a shorter […]
It’s the Summer hols and unless you are happy to dust off and dry clean your Butlin’s Red Coat ready to entertain the kids full time here are some simple ideas from Huffington Post Parents blog 🙂 Now that it’s summer, my 9-year-old son is constantly complaining that he’s bored. He will start camp soon, […]
I’m speaking on BBC Radio about the cost of keeping your kids busy, occupied, productive and entertained through the long Summer Holidays. I always remind the families that I work with that the Summer is a wonderful time to build memories with your children that will last a lifetime. I have some wonderful memories […]
You could say it all started with a lack of chocolate. As a little girl, Sarah Cressall was inspired by her mum to achieve whatever she put her mind to. For eight-year-old Sarah, this meant more chocolate. Sarah wrote a comic with the superhero being a well-known chocolate bar. The lovely people of Cadbury’s sent […]
The terrible news of the innocent shootings of elementary children & their teacher in the USA again today has tragically raised how we cope as parents with news coverage & helping our children feel safe. Here are some ideas I wrote after the Manchester bombing that may help. What a dangerously unpredictable world we […]
I was interviewed by BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester today about travelling with toddlers on a plane and keeping them occupied and busy. Here are my 10 Tips for Keeping a Toddler Busy on a plane. We were on hols in South Africa and the little girl behind me could have done with some of […]
As France bans parents from hitting their children & England discusses it. The debate rages on…. If you have just entered into a disciplinary arms race with your kids, then smacking is NOT the answer. Parenting doesn’t have to be a battle. Using positive discipline, you CAN teach your kids to behave without threats, bribes, […]
How Much Is Enough? It all depends on your child’s age. There’s no magical number of hours required by all kids in a certain age group. Children, like adults are all individuals. Two-year-old Luke might sleep from 7:30 pm to 7:30 am, whereas little 2-year-old Sophie is just as alert the next day after sleeping […]
I’ve recently had two children referred to me who have a fear of being shot by a terrorist after watching the news about the terrible attack on Ukraine The problem with 24/7 News coverage is that it blows out of proportion the amount of bad things that can happen and children are very sensitive […]
Do you find disciplining your children difficult? The funny thing about discipline is you only really notice it when it’s not there. As a former Deputy Head and teacher for 22 years I’ve seen loads of perfectly well behaved kids -who I’ve been teaching all day -run out into the playground to meet their parents […]
Do your children wake you up multiple times in the night? Do you lay down with your kids in their bed until they finally fall asleep? Have your children’s sleep habits driven you to the point of madness and exhaustion? Have no fear – help is at hand! I […]
Having a new baby is very exciting but your older child may worry about what all the changes may mean to them as for the last year or two they have probably been the centre of your universe so it’s a good idea to prepare them for this exciting new arrival. Here’s an exercise from […]
I have been working with a family with a little girl of 6 and we have been looking at helping her parents ask more ‘Open-ended questions’ to develop her independence, creativity and confidence. Questions are a natural part of our conversations. They help us exchange […]
It is a hugely emotional time when you split up with your partner, and that makes it even harder to make sensible financial decisions. Rather than thinking through options and making a long-term financial plan, people often feel desperate to end the misery of an unhappy relationship as soon as possible. Although this is […]
”Me” time could be the best hours you give not only yourself but also your children! ~ Sue Atkins Being a mum is a wonderfully fulfilling, rewarding and joyful experience. But it can also be an exhausting, frustrating and overwhelming business too. As a mum you are often the lynchpin of your whole […]
